The Star. MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1920. THE WAR MEMORIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19986, 28 June 1920, Page 6

The Star. MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1920. THE WAR MEMORIAL.

The contending parties in Christchurch having come to u decision in regard to the form of the war mo-, morials to bo erected in the city, it may be expected that a vigorous campaign will bo inaugurated to raise tho necessary funds. Tho amount acknowledged up to tho present is £7681, which includes contributions to both the Column and Bridge proposals. Tho estimate for tho Memorial Column was £IO,OOO, and it may bo assumed that tho Bridge of Remembrance will require at least an equal amount. Tho collectors should not experience any great difficulty in securing any amount up to £25,000, though their task would probably have been simplified if they had been able to take advantage of tho strong feelings of thankfulness and patriotism which were manifested at the close of tho war. It would help the Alemorial Committee, we think, if the precise sum which is aimed at were Stated. The amount already received includes some substantial donations, but tho great bulk of the community have not been appealed to and have not subscribed. An extremely interesting point wag raised recently by Air George Gould in regard to the sum of £IOO,OOO which is to be placed on the Estimates for a National War Alemorial in Wellington. Air Gould contends, with perfect justice, that if tho-Na-tional War Memorial is to spare the peoplo of Wellington from any local effort, the rest of New Zealand should strongly resist such a proposal. It is possible, of course, that the Government has in mind tho erection of a hospital or institute which could perform a national service. There is a wide field of choice in that connection, und if such an institution wore contemplated tho location of the memorial should be decided purely on the grounds of its suitability for tho work to bo performed. Wo do not think that tho peoplo of Wellington aro so grasping that they would regard the National Memorial as excusing them from raising a local fund. If the Government contemplates the erection of a national monument, in the conventional sense, as distinguished from the provision of an institution for the benefit of the public of the whole of the Dominion, there is every reason why the amount to be placed on the Estimates should bo divided between the four centres, each of which should supplement its allocation by purely local contributions. There is no need for national and local memorials in Wellington, but the citizens might fairly join with tho Government in erecting a worthy monument. The same consideration should apply to tho other cities. We hope that an announcement will shortly bo made concerning tho Government’s intentions, and that our local committee will take an early opportunity of making representations on tho subject.